A jolt of awareness crackled through me, a stark contrast to the suffocating oblivion. My surroundings felt… different. Gone was the oppressive darkness, replaced by a swirling tapestry of color and light. It was overwhelming at first, a sensory overload unlike anything I could have imagined. Unlike… seeing? The memory of sight flickered, a fragment from a forgotten life. But this… this was something else entirely. I could perceive not just what was in front of me, but behind as well, a full 360-degree panorama of swirling hues.
Another jarring ding echoed, and a holographic screen materialized before me. Text scrolled across its surface, its synthetic voice grating against the newfound symphony of sensations. I scanned the message:
Your reincarnation was a success.
A wry chuckle escaped my nonexistent lips. So, there was a risk involved. Information they neglected to mention on the initial offer.
The screen continued:
You have been reborn as an Etherspy. Think "status" to see more information.
Etherspy. The word resonated within me, a faint echo of recognition. This was the reason for my new… perception. I wasn't human anymore, if I ever was.
Following the prompt, I focused on the word "status," and a new holographic display materialized.
Status:
Monster tier 1
Species Name: Etherspy
Main Stat:
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Strength - 2
Dexterity - 5
Constitution - 2
Intelligence - 6
Willpower - 5
Free Stat point - 0
Evolutionary energy - 0%
Skills:
Mana Sight (Passive) - level 1
Spells:
Sleep - level 1, Drain Life - level 1, Sneak (Passive) - level 1
Mutations:
Mana-fueled Intuition
Lines of text swam before me, filled with stats, skills, and spells. Monster tier, free stat points… this resembled a game more than anything in my previous existence. I skimmed through the information, a cold realization settling in my stomach. I wasn't human. I was a creature of magic, an Etherspy.
Intrigued by the glowing name of my species, I focused on it, and a new screen materialized.
Species Name: Etherspy
Description:
The Etherspy, a Tier 1 enigma, navigates the world not with eyes, but with an extraordinary connection to the very essence of magic. Its smooth, hairless skin stretches taut across an elongated skull, devoid of any visible features. Despite this outward simplicity, the Etherspy possesses a profound awareness that surpasses most creatures with conventional sight.
It detailed the Etherspy, describing a creature that relied not on eyes, but on an intrinsic connection to magic itself.
Tier 1. Apparently, I was at the very beginning of some sort of progression. And the lack of eyes… my new sight wasn't sight at all. It was Mana Sight, fueled by the skills and mutations listed in my status.
A thrill of discovery coursed through me. By focusing on the text in the description, I gleaned additional information. Mana Sight provided exceptional awareness, making darkness irrelevant. However, it seemed bright sunlight could disrupt this ability, leaving me vulnerable. Physically weak, but agile – an ambush predator, perhaps.
The pieces were starting to fall into place. My skills and mutations worked in tandem, compensating for my physical limitations. With a satisfied sigh, I willed the screens away, eager to explore this new world through my unique perspective. What wonders awaited in this realm unseen?